A Birthday; A Lightning Strike & An Engagement!

The storm was imminent. The forecast said that it was due to
pass along the south coast on Sunday (27th) – my
birthday. I began to think that the cruise on the Lake and picnic on
Inchagoill Island probably wouldn’t go ahead on Sunday afternoon as planned!

I have always loved birthday’s, since as long as I can
remember. I love celebrating them, the significance of them and sharing it all
with friends, family and loved ones. Which is why I knew I wanted my 40th
birthday celebration to be one that I would remember always.

The party got off to a perfect start. All the revellers had arrived from afar, settled into their spaces for the long weekend and into the swing of life in America Village. We changed into our dancing shoes and danced and sang Saturday evening and night away.

Lightning is one of the most beautiful displays in nature. It is also one of the most deadly natural phenomena known to man. With bolt temperatures hotter than the surface of the sun and shockwaves beaming out in all directions, lightning is a lesson in physical science and humility. (How Stuff Works, 2013)

The lightning woke Baile Mheiriceá at around 6am, it struck with a fierceness that shook the house, sockets were blown from the walls, leaving smouldering debris in their wake. It was scary – it was the power of nature – It was my birthday!

It is amazing what you can achieve with a gathering of friends and loved ones in 48 hrs when you are without electricity (for 16hrs) and a phone line and internet (for 7 days & counting). We didn’t get to go on our cruise, as gale force winds whipped up the lake into a swirling mass, however we did re-connect in the most simple pleasurable ways, by candlelight, by stories, by games, by an amazing Ethiopian Feast, courtesy of the fabulous Kidan, by Cake and by the most special way of all – by Love.

A lightning strike and an Engagement - Oh yes… A special birthday that I will never forget!

Some of the beautiful and thoughtful gifts that were given to me for my birthday.